FINALLY BACK TO THE MAINLAND w/ @strayfromdapath @makethemsuffer & @knosis_official

Tickets on sale tomorrow 11AM CET pic.twitter.com/oc2JoBhQOa

— VOID OF VISION (@voidofvision) June 22, 2023

Stray From the Path released their latest album Euthanasia, last September and, after touring most of the world in the last year, are now looking to bring their high energy shows to the UK and Europe. The band will be playing six shows in six different UK cities beginning in November.

Noted for their potent anger that is communicated through the belligerent presence of frontman Drew Dijorio, Stray From the Path have never shied away from delivering socio-politically charged anthems that are reminiscent of prime Rage Against the Machine. Created during the pandemic, Euthanasia is a klaxon call for the disenfranchised, discriminated and overlooked portions of society to stand up for themselves and be counted.

Formed in 2001, the group have been around for awhile but, with only guitarist Tom Williams remaining as an original member, it has taken some time for Stray From the Path to gain the popularity they feel their music (and message) deserves. Relentless touring and popularity through word of mouth has seen the band poised to finally explode onto the scene-headlining dates in their own right.

Stray From the Path may also be notable to UK fans in particular for featuring British based drummer Craig Reynolds. Reynolds has become an ever growing media personality, mainly through his music centred podcast The Downbeat. In between writing, recording and touring with Stray From the Path, Reynolds finds the time to sit down with some of the most interesting and exciting musicians in the world of (mostly) metal, for in depth conversations about their craft, experiences and, in what is a fan favourite, their dream festivals.

Reynolds is often at the centre of intriguing conversations around music and production as well, frequently taking to social media platforms to air his views. In recent months, the drummer made headlines for calling out bands (unnamed) that use backing tracks during live performances. Currently, Reynolds resides in Scotland but divides his time between the UK and the US to devote time to Stray From the Path.

The band recently featured on the Opus Stage at this summer’s Download Festival-a perfect opportunity to gain more UK based followers and give them a taste for what their headlining show promises in the autumn. Recently, the band announced that they had to swap the dates in Manchester and London although any presale tickets already purchased remain valid. General sale tickets go on sale Friday, 23 June. You can find tickets here.

Stray From the Path UK and Europe Tour:

26/10/2023 – Hole 44 – Berlin, Germany
27/10 – Futurum – Prage, Czech Republic
28/10 – Gruenspan – Hamburg, Germany
29/10 – Backstage Halle – Munich, Germany
30/10 – Szene – Vienna, Austria
01/11 – Felsenkeller – Leipzig, Germany
02/11 – Zoom – Frankfurt, Germany
03/11 – Melkweg – Amsterdam, Netherlands
04/11 – Kantine – Cologne, Germany
05/11 – Electric Brixton – London
06/11 – SWX – Bristol
07/11 – The Mill – Birmingham
09/11 – Stylus – Leeds
10/11 – Garage – Glasgow
11/11 – The Ritz – Manchester
12/11 – Machine Du Moulin Rouge – Paris, France
14/11 – Connexion Live – Toulouse, France
15/11 – Mon Club – Madrid, Spain
16/11 – Wolf – Barcelona, Spain
17/11 – La Cordonnerie – Romans/Isere, France
18/11 – Kiff – Aarau, Switzerland

The drummer, with a passion for all things related to his instrument, likens the process to a form of cheating, taking to his social media platforms to open up a debate on the issue. An outspoken practitioner of drumming naturally and without the aid of ‘studio tricks’, many agree with Reynolds, while some argue it depends on how individual bands use it.

some of your favourite bands have ALL their kick drums on track and you’re so dumb you don’t notice

— craig reynolds VERIFlED CHECKMARK HERE (@reynlord) May 23, 2023

The debate all started when Reynolds tweeted that some people’s favourite bands do not play certain drum parts during live performances. In a video on Instagram, Reynolds stated that the overall consensus by Twitter users was that this practise was ok, although Reynolds himself compared the use of drums on backing tracks to ‘miming’. The drummer for American hardcore band Stray From the Path not only professed his displeasure at the use but was also left gobsmacked by the reaction his Tweet received.

I’m hoping it’s just because I called everyone dumb but it seems like everyone is okay with this. Don’t bother practicing or becoming proficient kids, it’s the taking part that counts!!!!!!!!

— craig reynolds VERIFlED CHECKMARK HERE (@reynlord) May 23, 2023

With the use of backing tracks becoming a recurring incidence during live performances in this day and age, many people are resigned to the use of them, with Reynolds claiming that people are happy with songs that sound exactly like the record- live. The Glasgow based drummer further elaborated in a tweet, “putting ALL of the kick drum on a backing track is like having a football team with one player who is secretly an android, but then everyone just going ‘ah cool that android is absolutely murdering everyone again and scored 500 goals, love this.'”  

Reynolds, a musical purist, is a strong adherent of hard work, talent and artistry and believes the shift to backing tracks will give rise to programs such as AI creating music and stopping support for musicians. Regardless of which side one falls on the issue, Reynolds has certainly stirred up an intriguing debate which will surely continue to gather steam over the coming years.

Reynolds, hailing from Reading, England started his career by serving as a drum technician for the band Architects while also teaching the instrument to young aspiring musicians. Joining the New York based hardcore band Stray From the Path in 2016, Reynolds has become an influential voice in the music scene via his successful podcast show The Downbeat, where he speaks to fellow musicians in the world of metal and hardcore.

Stray From the Path have recently wrapped up a tour of Australia in support of Aussie based band In Hearts Wake. Reynolds’ podcast The Downbeat can be heard on Spotify and all other media outlets.

Stray From the Path drummer Craig Reynolds, who joined the band back in 2016, has been injured stopping him from being able to play his instrument. Forcing the band to drop out of the festival a few weeks before its due to start. This would have been the first show the band has played since lockdown started in 2020.

Reynolds stated on his twitter that he fell and cracked a couple of ribs and fractured the t9 vertebrae in his back. Continuing to say: “I am fine by the way, no sympathy please. It hurts but I’m absolutely fine”.

Wish we could be there. We will miss you @SlamDunkMusic – see you all in February with @BEARTOOTHband and @MIWbandhttps://t.co/JKf9S8ajgi

— Stray From The Path (@strayfromdapath) August 15, 2021

Whether or not this may cause problems as touring is set to begin again. It has not meant cancelling their upcoming tour alongside metalcore heavy-weights Beartooth, and Motionless in White, which heads out early 2022. Which will see them return to stage in London, Paris, and Berlin; among others.

The band is set on going to the studio to record their new album this year despite the news. An Album they have been writing on stream via Twitch. Although, no talks of setbacks have been posted online, it may be revealed later on, depending on the injuries.

You can get your tickets to Slam Dunk here.